Thursday, June 29 2006 16:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Cautioning that naxalite activity could increase in Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said land alienation was a major cause of naxalism and suggested constitution of 'Paralegal Army' to help restore land rights of tribals.

"The biggest SEZ (Special Economic Zone) in Andhra Pradesh is 'Naxalite SEZ' and it has exported naxalites to other states like Chhattisgarh," Ramesh said, addressing a workshop here on 'Land and Legal Assistance'.

Stating that the root of naxalite problem lied in land alienation, he said unless substantial efforts were made in this direction, the basic socio-economic problems responsible for the rise of extremism could not be tackled.

Noting that there were over 2,000 cases pertaining to the land disputes in notified tribal areas pending in the courts in Andhra Pradesh, the Minister called for setting up of a Paralegal Army, comprising law students and representatives from the tribal development agencies and NGOs, to help in restoration of land rights to tribals.

The day-long workshop was organised by the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) as part of an unique initiative of the Government 'Giri Nyayam' under which tribals are provided legal assistance in their fight for land rights.